TheBuzz
TheBuzz
It’s 2002: Do your kids
know who Jiro is?Once the wearin' o' the green is done for this year -- perhaps after tomorrow's sick-call gives way to Tuesday's return to work -- it'll be time to prepare for the wearin' o' the red-and-blue skin-tight suit with the bug-eyes.
Perhaps that's just some of us.
If the name Kikaida instantly popped into your head, you win!
Kikaida and Kikaida-01 were among the reasons kids rushed home from school "back in the day" circa 1970s and the famous duo is heading back to Honolulu.
Kikaidamania Festival '02, starting April 12, is three days of appearances for the brothers Kikaida and their human counterparts Jiro, played by actor Ban Daisuke -- and Ichiro, played by Ikeda Shunsuke.
Free appearances include the Kikaida Fan Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 13, at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii.
Kikaida and Kikaida-01 will be there, as will Jiro and Ichiro, to sign autographs and pose for pictures.
Kikaida look-alike contests and karaoke challenges will augment the on-stage entertainment. Memorabilia, food and other goodies will be offered for sale.
The other free event is an autograph session with actors Daisuke and Shunsuke from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 14, at Shirokiya in Ala Moana Center.
Tickets must be purchased for other events such as the "My Kikaida Treasures" exhibit at the Japanese Cultural Center at 2454 S. Beretania St. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $5.
The center is also hosting a kickoff dinner banquet themed "Gill's Gala," at 6 p.m. Friday April 12. Fifty-dollar admission includes dinner, live entertainment, appearances by Kikaida "Jiro" and "Ichiro" and a silent auction of limited-edition Kikaida collectibles.
Proceeds benefit the cultural center.
If there's a possibility this will wind up in the bird cage, bookmark this URL now for scheduling details: www.generationkikaida.com. It's a kick.
If an Internet connection is not available, call the cultural center, JN Productions or KIKU TV for information or tickets. KIKU TV airs the kitschy show at 7 p.m. Sundays.
But who's counting?
Why all the fuss? "This is the 30th anniversary of Kikaida in Japan," explained spokeswoman Sharon Higa. "It's pretty popular so it's kind of a big deal."A crew from SKY PerfecTV, the largest digital TV network in Japan, will document Hawaii's multigenerational enthusiasm for the superhero, whose action figures can still be found in collectible shops around town and whose theme song can still be heard in karaoke lounges around the state.
Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin.
Call 529-4302, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached
at: eengle@starbulletin.com